Coin handling apparatus



P. H. SMYTH, JR

G01N HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1957 April 30, 1940.

5 Sheets-Sheet l nnnn J April 30, 1940. P. H. sMYTH, JR I A COIN HANDLINGYAP'PARATUS Filed Nov. is, 1937 5.l sheets-sheet 2 April 30, 1940- P. H. sMYTH. JR

COIN HANDLING APPARATUS vFiled Nov. 1s, 19:57

5 sheets-sheet s April-30, 1940. 'i P. H.`,sMYTH, .JR 2,198,683

COINl HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Filed Nov. 18, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 30, 1940. 4 P. H. sMY'TH', ,1R

COIN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 30, `194i) APATlszNT oFFicE COIN HANDLING APPARATUS PaulfH. Smyth,` Jr., Evanston, Ill., assigner to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, cago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Chi- Application November 18, 1937, Serial No. =175,231) 2 clamps.V (ci. 19t-55)' This invention relates to vending machines for dispensing, for example, audible amusement, audible entertainment, or audible intelligence, as, for instance, a coin-controlled phonograph. The

invention has more particular reference to coin handling apparatus for such vending machines.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved coin handling apparatus forcoin-controlled machines.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a multi-coin handling apparatus that will cause the operation of the phonograph or other controlled machine a number of times determined by the denomination of the deposited coin.

I A further-object of the `invention is the provision of a multi-coin handling apparatus which will predetermine the number of voperations of the machine controlled thereby for each of a plurality of. denominations of coins.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide nickel, and so on.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying disclosure and include the novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of. parts described and shown to disclose, byv way of illustration, an embodiment of the invention which has been found suitable.

In the accompanying drawings: Y Fig. 1 is a frontal perspective view shown with parts removed cr broken away for clarity of a vending machine coin handling apparatus illustrative of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear end elevational View of the novel coin handling apparatus shown insFig.' 1; Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of coin controlled actuating means found suitable for usein the novel coin handling apparatus; Fig. 4 is an upright cross section through one of the coin controlled actuating units and is taken substantially along the 'lines 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 isa view similar to that shown in Fig. 4 and illustrating therewithY the Aoperation of the scavenger device;

Fig. 6 is a partial side view shown with parts.

in cross sectiony and withparts broken away of one of the actuating devices of Fig. 3 to bring out certain details of assembly and construction;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross section taken subp stantially along the lines 1-1 lof Fig. 6 and shows the operation of the means for rejecting genuine coins while the coin is in the coin controlled actuating unit; A

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the scav- 45v enger device;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the lines 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the actuation of the scavenger device; 10

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken substantially along the lines lI-II of Fig. 2 and shows schematically a vending machine connected tothe coin handling apparatus for controlthereby;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view show- 15 ing certain details oi" the coin transferring mechanism and shows the coin release means for freeing that mechanism; i

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the novel coin handling apparatus with certain parts removed 20 or` broken away for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the actuating units with parts shown inv section and parts broken away to show portions of the coin path; 25

Fig. 15`is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the lines |5--I5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 13

4and shows the operating means for the control means in locked position during the actuation 30 of the operating means;

Fig. 17 is a view like Fig. 16 and shows that operating means in unlocked position; and

Fig. 18 is afragmentary perspective view of the means for setting the operating means to operate 35 predetermined number of times depending upon the .denomination of the coin employed in the coinhandling apparatus.

AIn another aspect-of the invention, asv will presently be explained, the coin-controlledactu- 50 'ating means is of. the fraud-resistant type whereby the predetermined number of operations of the control means is varied proportionately with the denominations of a pluralityjof genuine coins, but is not operatedwhen spurious handling apparatus.

ing unit.

times for each deposited quarter.

Briefly, then, upon operation of the coin-controlled actuating means, the operating means is actuated and causes the operation of the control means, for example, once for each deposited nickel, twice for each deposited dime and five It will be understood that each operation of. the control means represents an operation of the machine controlled by the novel coin handling apparatus in a mannerv well known in this art.

The coin-controlled actuating means illustrated has been found suitable for use in the novel. coin handlingl apparatus. It is of the fraud-resistant type and is adapted to receive coinsof different denominations. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the

actuating means comprises a plurality of identical actuating units A, B and C,'one such unit being provided for each desired coin denomination, or, by way of example, the unit A for nickels, the unit B for dimes and the unit C for quarters. Brieily, each of the actuating'units A, B

vand C includes an outer plate D which cooperatesy with a frame member E pivoted thereon near an end thereof and with an'intermediate plate F to provide communicating coin 'passages 2|, 22 and 23 for genuine vcoins (Figs. 3 to 10 and 14). The-intermediate plate F cooperates with a plate yG at the side thereof opposite the plate'D to provide a return passage 24 for spurious or counterfeitcoins.

Those platesD, F and G of each actuating unit -are mounted in a suitable frame including a front plate H having a plurality of intake or receiving apertures or slots 25 therein, each communicating with the upper end of one of the passages 2|, and a plurality of return apertures orslots 26, each-communicating with the lower end of the return passage 24 for returning rejected coins to positions outside of the coin handling appa-.- ratus. Slidably arranged between the platesD and F of each actuating unit is a reciprocable member or plunger I having a forward manually operable extension J extending through the front frame plate H, a rearward extension K extending through the back of the actuating unit, and a coin carrier 21 for receiving coins from the coin passage 23.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 13, reciprocable member I of each of the actuating units A, B and C is normally capable of movement over a, relatively short distance in the direction from front to back, or inwardly of the actuating unit. 'Such movement is limited by a spring-urged dog or detent 28 pivotally mounted on the intermediate plate -F and engageable with a shoulder 29`in the reciprocable member I for releasably dogging the reciprocable member against greater movement.A

in that direction. That dog 23 is operable against 'the action of its spring by a coin in the coincarrier 21 during the limitedmovement of the reciprocable member I. Thus, when la, coin is in the coin carrier 21, the reciprocable mem` ber I is movable` against the action oi' a spring 3| inwardly of the actuating unit from a position wherein the coin carrier 21 is in communication with the coin passage 23 to a position wherein the coin carrier is in communication with an aperture or passage 32 in the bottom of the actuat- I'he coin in the coin carrier may there-j upon drop into a suitable receptacle (not shown). To prevent the reciprocable member I from being returned to its initial position by the spring 3| before the reciprocable member has been moved a full stroke as just described, a well known full stroke apparatus 33 may be operatively associated with the reciprocable member.

It will be understood that the actuating means described above per se forms no part of the present invention and is well known in the art. The invention is not therefore limited to the particular type of multiplecoin actuating means. It might be well, however, to point out by way of further explanation that when a genuine coin of proper denomination is inserted in one of `the intake or receiving apertures 25 of the illustrated actuating means,'the coin will roll or gravitat along the communicating passages 2|, 22 and 23 into the coin carrier 21 whereby to permit manual movement of thel reciprocable member I a full stroke inwardly of the corresponding actuating unit. l

Preferably those passages 2|, 22 and 23 are associated with various fraud resistant means for causing spurious or counterfeit coins to be rejected,'that is, prevented from lbeing delivered to the coin carrier 21. Instead, the rejected coins are delivered to the return passage 24 which directs them through the return aperture or slot 26 to a position outside of the actuating unit. The fraud resistant means for each of the actuating units A, B and C, as illustrated, includes a magnet 34 so arranged that a coin rolling along the passage 2| willenter the magnetic eld, of

The magnet 34 is of suflicientV strength lto stop magnetic slugs or other spurithe magnet 34.

ous coins of magnetic material in the passage 2|.

In each illustrated actuating unit, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 8, 11 and 13, scavenger. means 35 `for clearing the passage 2| of such vmagnetic slugs or coins or of other materials lodged in the vpassage is provided in the form of a pivoted scavenger arm 33 extending into the passage 2| and normally held in the upper portion of the passage by a spring 31. That scavenger arm 36 is movableabout its pivot across the passage 2| by an end portion 38 of apivoted arm 39. That end portion 33 is beveled toserve as a cam for" engaging a roller or follower 4| von the pivoted frame E having a lower member 42 serving as the bottom or coin supporting and directing portion of the passage 2|. The scavenger arm 35 is operable from the reciprocable member I by a connecting member or link 43 connecting the arm 33 with one end oi'V a pivoted lever 44, the other end of which` is provided with a cam surface 45 engageable with an actuating roller4| on the reciprocable member I.

During the iirst portion of movement of the reciprocable member I inwardly of the actuating unitthe roller 46 engages the cam surface 45 and operates the lever 44. When the lever44 is thus operated, the end portion 33 of the arm ..39 cams the pivoted frame E outwardly about its pivot to. open the vpassage 2|, and swings the piv-` passage 24 and is directed thereby 'outside of the actuatingfunit through the return aperture 24. A spring 43 is provided for returning the pivoted frame E to its initial position when the cam surface 45 isdisengaged by the roller 43.

The magnet 34,`in cooperation with the in`y .clined passage 2| and one or more suitably positionedl anvil or bun r lugs .43 in the coin passage V22, and an entrance opening l communicating with the return passage 24, serves also to reject spurious or counterfeit coins which are not sutildiffer in accordance with what is termed herein from being inserted in the receiving aperture 25l with such force that the retarding force caused i the electrical inductivity of the particular metal or metals of which the coins are made. By electrical inductivity as used herein is meant that property of an electrical conductor moving through a' magnetic eld to have inducedin the conductor an electric current having a magnetic effect opposing the motion producing the current. Thus such coins rolling along the passage 2l are retarded in proportion to the electrical conductivity of the coin. That principle is utilized by arranging the entrance opening 5l with reference to the inner end of the passage 2| and with reference to the lug or lugs 49 so that spurious coins are directed into the entrance opening 5I and returned through the passage 24 without ever reaching the coin carrier 21.

A spring or retarder 52 extends into the passage 2|ahead of the magnet 34 to prevent coins by the magnet 34 `will be insuilcient to cause the selective rejection just described. If desired, an aperture 53 may be provided between the passage 23 and the return passage 24 with a ledge 54 removed as at 55 toward the forward end of the aperture and extending upwardly from the bottom of the passage 23. A spring 56 may be arranged in the passage 23 in such a manner that if a spurious coin of a thickness greater than the thickness of a genuine coin should enter the passage 23, it will, in rolling therealong, be urged through the aperture 53 Where the ledge lill is removed and into the return passage 24.

Since in the present invention the control means designated generally by theV reference character Ir is associated with the operating means indicated by the reference character M actuatable by the coin-controlled actuating means, each of the actuating units A, Band C is provided with means for rejecting genuine coins ywhile a coin is in the c oin carrier 21. Such means assures sufficient time between subsequent operations of each operable member I for operation of the control means L by its operating means M the number of times determined by the deposited coin.

That genuine coin rejector as illustrated in Figs. '1 and l1 comprises a relatively light strip 51 of metalfpr each actuating unit. The strip is plvoted intermediate its ends outside of the actuating unit and has an upper end bent or otherwise formed to provide a projection 58 registering with an aperture 59 in the outer plate D at the upper end of the coin passage 22. The lower end of each strip 51 is formed, for example, by bending to provide a projection 6l which extends into the coin passage 23 just above the normal position of the coin carrier 21.

A coin entering the coin carrier 21 from the passage 23 engages the projection 6l and swings the pivoted strip 51 against the action of gravity to move the projection 56 through the aper.

ture 59 into the passage 22. The strip 51 is held in that position by the coin in the carrier' the projection 58 is in the passage 22, a coin moving from the passage 2| into the passage 22 will strike the projection 58y and will thereby be deected through the entrance opening 5l into the return passage `24.

The cpntrol means L and its operating means M are shown best in Figs. 11, 13 and 15 to 18 and are mounted on a suitable frame P. That frame may be cast or otherwise formed with angularly arranged plates 62 and 63, a strip 64 extending from the lower end of the plate 63 at the margin thereof opposite the plate 62 and in the same direction from the plate 63 as does the plate 62, and a ledge 65 extending transversely along 'the face ofthe plate 62 opposite that from vwhich the strip 64 projects. The plate 6'3 is provided with a plurality of apertures 66 therein above the ledge 65 and, spaced transversely along the plate to receive therein the respective rearward extensions K of the reciprocable members I when the frame is secured to the actuating units in assembled relationship; Over the apertures 66 the plate 63 has a plurality of pairs of spaced 1 lugs 61, 68 and 69 projecting from the same face of the plate as that from which the strip 64 projects.

That frame `P is assembled at the rear ends of the actuating units A, B and C with the ledge i -in that position.V

Instead of employing control means for each coin denomination and for actuation by the coins themselves, the control means L of the present invention is common to all of the operable coin denominations and is operable by the operating means M a predetermined number of times, depending uponl the denomination of the coin which is employed to render one of the reciprocable members I operable.

The control means L is shown as a pair of normally open electrical contacts 12 carried in makeand-break relationship at the corresponding ends of a pair of resilient conductor strips 13 and 14. 'Ihose contact-carrying strips are insulated from one another and are mounted as at 15 on the plate 62. The strip 1d is provided with a de pending member 16 of insulating material to facilitate exing the strip against its resiliency in a contact-making direction.

As already mentioned, that control means L may be employed to control various machines. For example, it is illustrated for controlling a well known multi-record phonograph, shown diagrammatically at R in Fig. `11. Briefly, such a vthe motor 11 for controlling the latter. Switchoperating means are provided in the phonograph for closing the switch 19 and maintaining it in th closed position until the motor 11 has operated the phonograph through a predetermined number of complete playing cycles.

In other words, the operating means for the switch 19 is a sort of playing cycleA accumulator and dispenser and comprises a rotatable ratchet 6l having a piii82 thereon which normally holds the switch 19 open, a spring 6l for yieldabiy holding the ratchet Bi in a switch-open position, a spring-urged pawl 83 and a solenoid .62 for indexing the ratchet 6l in a switch-releasing or as' l closing direction, a spring-held escapement pawl d83' permitting operation of the ratchet [by the pawl'83 and operable to permit the spring 8| to return the ratchet with a step by step movement in a switch opening direction, and a movable phonograph member 85 movable yat the end of each playing cycle for operating the pawl 83' to cause the indexing of the ratchet 8| in a. switchopening direction. The solenoid 84 is electrically connected in a circuit having a source 86 of electrical energy and including the control means L.

Thus, the rst time the control contacts 12 are closed, the pawl 83 and solenoid 84 index the ratchet 8| to move the pin 82 in a direction to release the switch 19, causing it to close; If without further operation of the control means L the phonograph is permitted to play through its cycle, the movable member 85, the escapement pawl 83', and the spring 8| at the end of that cycle, will operate the ratchet 8| to return the pin 82 to its initial position, thereby opening the switch 19 and de-energizing the phonograph motor 11.

If .the control means L is operated a plurality of times, the pin 82 rotating with the vratchet 8| is removed from the switch 19 one tooth or step for each operation of the control means L, and v each movement of the pin or each operation of thecontrol means corresponds to a cycle accumulated by the operating means for the switch 19. At the end of each cycle the member 85 returns the ratchet 8|, and hence the pin 82, one step in a switch-opening direction so that at the end of the number of cycles corresponding to those accumulated by the switch-operating means, the pin 82 will open the switch 19 and the phonograph motor 11.

The operating means M for the control-means L comprises a ratchet or other rotatable member 81 rotatably carried atthe outer end of a bolt or post 88 extending laterally from the plate 88. The ratchet 81 is provided with teeth or other projections 89 about its periphery for energizing a combined follower and detent member 9| at the outer end of an arm 92 pivoted as at 93 on the plate 82. That member 9| is yieldably held in such engagement with the ratchet teeth 88 by the resilient contact-carrying strip 18 acting through the` depending member 18. As the ratchet is rotated, each tooth cams the follower and detent member 9| in a direction to close the contacts 12 against the resiliency of the contact-carrying strips 13 and 161. The resiliency of those contactcarrying strips returns the contacts to their open 95 pivoted as at 96 at the outer end thereof and yieldably. held in engagement with the ratchet teeth byv a` spring 91. A stud or projection 98` on the plate 62 is engageable by the sector-shaped member 94 to limit rotation thereof and the pawl 95 about the post 88 in one direction. By means of an operating stud or projection 99 at the lower end of the sector-shaped member 94, that member may be swung about the post 98 out o f vengagement with the limit stud 98 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 11.

During such movement of the member 94., the pawl 95`slidably engages the ratchet 81. The opcontacts 12 a number of times determined by the will zie-energize erating stud 99 may be utilized'to swing the sector-shaped member 94 and the pawl 95 in opposite direction to cause the pawl todrive the ratchet 81. When the ratchet 81 is so operated, its teeth operate the combined follower and detent member 9| tovclose and open theswitch contacts V12 once for each ratchet tooth engaging the member 9|.

A link |8` is provided With an elongated aperture |82 at anend thereof for slidable and pivotal connection with the operating stud 99. That link |8| cooperates with'a rockable member |83 which is actuatable by the reciprocable members I for operating the ratchet 81 to cause it to close the denomination of the coin employed to release one of the reciprocable members.

That rockable member |83 is cast or otherwise suitably formed with a pair of spaced bearings |84 pivotally secured on a pin |85 extending transversely of the frame P and secured at opposite ends inthe outer ends of the strip 64 and vthe plate 62. The bearings |84 are respectively integral with arms or other projections |86 and |81 extending radially outwardly from the bearings and offset `from one another about the axis of the bearings.v Betweenthose arms |88 and f |81 is an arm or projection 88 which is connected to the arm |86 by a web portion |89 and to the arm |81 by a web portion The arm |88 is oiset from thearm |88 in the same direction about the axis of the bearings |88 aslis the arm |81 but for a lesser distance. Each rearwardy Iextension K of the reciprocable members I carries a roller or suitable projection H2. Extending :forwardly from the web portion is an arm or projection H3 with its forward end pivotally connected as at H8 with the link 98|.

The arms" |86, |88 and |81 are so spaced along the pin |85 that each is engageable by one of the rollers |18 when the corresponding reciprou cable member I is operated. Due to the odsetting, those arms are engageable by the rollers H2 at relatively different positions of the rollers during the rearward movements of the respective reciprocable members I. Thus, each reciprocable member I is adapted to rotate the rockable member |83 against the action of a spring H5 through a diierent angle. During the rearward or inward movement of anyone of the reciprocable members I, the corresponding rollerl i2 engages one of the arms |86, |88 or |81 and rotates the rockable member |83 through an angle depending upon the particular reciprocable member which is operated. The direction of that rotation of the Arockable member |83 is such as to cause the arm |13 to move the link |8| upwardly. The elongated aperture |82 permits some lost motion of the link |8| when the spring ||5 returns the rockable member |83 to its initial position.

That upward movement of the link |8| actuates the operating stud 99 to energize the means for operating the contact 12. In other words, the rotation of the rockable member |83 by one of the rollers ||2 operates the operating stud 99 against the action of a spring ||6 and thereby rotates the sector-shaped member 94 about the post 88 in the direction in Whichthe pawl 95 slides about the teeth of the ratchet 81. The pawl 95 is caused to slide about a predetermined number of the teeth of the ratchet 81 by each reciprocable member I and, due to the offset of the arms |86, |88 and |81, the number of ratchet teeth about which the pawl 95slidesl depends upn which oi' the reciprocable members I is 75 sol c "2,198,683 operated or, stated slightly diterently, upon the i denomination of the coin which releases one of the reciprocable members I.. V The spring IIS is thus energized and is adapted to move the pawl 95 in the opposite'direction and to return it to its initial position whereby to drive the ratchet 81 and thereby to operate .the contacts 12 a number of times equal to the or limit stud 98. A dash pot '||1 secured as at H8 to the plate 62 is provided with a reciprocable connecting member |'I9 depending from the `dash pot piston or plunger and having an aperture |2| inthe lower end of the connecting member for receiving therein the operating stud post 88. 'I'he dash pot |,|1 constitutes means' for controlling the velocity ofthe sector-shaped member carrying the lJWl 95 while the pawl is driving the ratchet 81. Such control of thefvelocity of the sector-shaped member assurs a positive closing of the contacts 12 for each ratchet tooth engaging the member 9| while the ratchet is being driven by the pawl 95.' Thus, the spring ||9 and the dash pot ||1 cooperate to control the frequency of the closing and opening of the contacts 12. Y

In order to prevent operation of the contacts 12 by the ratchet 81 until the spring ||6 is en ergized, the ratchet is positivelyl locked against rotation during the operation of the rockable member |03 and is automatically released when the spring llt is energized. Suitable means for accomplishing that result comprises an arm |22 pivoted at one end as at |23 adjacent the dash 4pot ||1on the plate 62 and having at itsother end a shoulder |24 and a laterally projecting pin |25. The arm |22 extends downwardly from its pivot |23 and is of sufficient length that the shoulder |22 will move to and from a position over the detent member 9|. When the shoulder is over the detent member 8|, that member is held in locking engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 81. The movement of the arm |22 out of locking engagement with the detent member 9| is limited by a suitable stop |25'. Thus, the detent member is operable by the arm |22 for releasably locking the ratchet 81 in inoperative positiony while the pawl 95 is being moved to driving position.

That arm |22 is normally urged toward locking position by a spring |26 but is normally held out of engagement with the detent `member 9| r by an arm |21 o! a lever |28 which is pivotally the detent member 9|. operating arm |29 which extends radially outwardly from the post 88 at an angle to the arm mounted to swing about the post 88 at the side of the ratchet 81 opposite thev sector-shaped member 00. The arm |21 extends radially out-` wardly from the post 88 and extends between the pin |26 on the lower end of the arm |22 and The lever |28 has an |21 and which has a laterally projecting la r thereon. That operating arm |29is connected to the rockable member |03 by a link- |32 having at one end 'an elongated aperture I 33 therein for slidable and pivotal connection with the ,5 pin |3| and pivoted at its other end on the pivo ||4 of the arm ||,3.

The link |32 normally' engages the pin |8| in the upper end of the elongatedaperture |83 and serves to'hold the lever |20 in such a position that the arm |21 engages the pin |25 and holds the armv |22 against the action of its spring |26 out o i engagement-with the detent member 9|. A spring |34 between the operating arm |29 and a suitable anchorage on the plate 62 normally urges the lever |28 in a direction to cause the 4arm |21 to release the locking arm |22 so that its spring |26 can move it toward locking engagement with the detent member 9|.I

Thus, whenA the Vroclrable member |03 commences to move in the direction for energizing the spring H6, the link |82is moved suillciently to permit the spring `|34 to rotate the lever |28- and to move its arm |21 from engagement with the. pin |25 and into engagement with the detent member 9I. That movement of the arm |21 releases the'locking arm |22 which .is thereupon swung by its spring |26 into locking engagement with the detent member 9I'.- i

The detent member 9| is releasably held in locking engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 81 by the spring-urged arm |22 while the rockable member |03 is positioning the pawl 95 for driving the ratchet 81, the elongated aperture |33'permitting suiilcient lost motion of the link 35 |32 while that is being accomplished. During the return movement of the rockable member |03 by the spring H5, the elongated aperture l|33 permits some lost motion of the 'link |32 relative to the pin |3| until the rockable member is substantially at its initial position'whereupon the link |32 engages the pin itl at the upper end of the elongated aperture and moves it against the action of the spring ltd 'to rotate the lever |28 in a direction to cause its arm |2iI to remove the arm |22 from locking engagement with thev detent member 9|. Thus,4 the ratchet 81 is released and can be rotated by the spring actuated pawl 954 .and controlled by the dash pot ||1 to close and open the contacts 12 as already described.

`Each pair of spaced lugs 61, dii and t9 of the frame P has pivoted therebetween bya pin |39 a pawl or other suitable member |90. The members |30 extend rearwardly into engagement on rollers ||2 and to respectively overlying relationship with a plurality of forwardly extendy ingarcuate strips |31, |30 and |30 secured on the which itis rotated by the actuated reciprocable member I. The slots MH,- lti and itil in the respective strips |91, |38 and |90 are successive-- 1y rearwardly oiIset -irom the normal positions of the locking members IM and from one another for distances respectively corresponding to those" between the locking members in normal position and the arms |00, |00 and |01 in nor mall positions.

Those locking members |44 are of any suitable construction and are made as shown, for example, in Fig. 11 by bending the rear ends of the pawls |36 in alignment transversely of the main bodies thereof and if desired, suitably securing a metal plate to each of the bent ends. Rearwardly beyondthe ends of the spaced lugs 61, 68 and 69 each pawl |36 is provided with a vdownwardly facing cam surface or edge |45 for engagement by the underlying roller ||2. The configuration of each ofl the cam surfaces |45 is such that the pawl |36 swings downwardly by gravity during rearward 'movements of the engaged rollers ||2 and upwardly when the roller engages the cam surface during the forward movements of the roller.

Thus, one of the pawls |36 gravitates about its pivot to move its locking member |44 to locking engagement in the slots |4-I, |42 or |43 when the corresponding reciprocable member I rotates the rockable member |03 suiiiciently to cause the pawl 95 to be positioned for rotating the ratchet 81 to operate the' contacts 12 a number of times depending upon which of the reciprocable memlbers I is actuated. The locking member remains in that locking position to hold the rockable member |03 in that position until the roller I2, following the return of the reciprocable member I by the spring 3|, cams the pawl upwardly about its pivot to move the lockingmember out of engagementin the slot. When the locking member has thus released the rockable member H13, the spring ||j5 returns the rockable member to its initial position causing the link |32 to operate thel appropriate aperture 25. The inserted coin will l by gravity move along the passages 2|, 22 and 23 into the coin carrier 21 as indicated in Figs. 11 and 14 whereupon the reciprocable members I may be moved inwardly by pressure applied against the end of the manually operable extension J.

Such movement oi the reciprocable member I moves the corresponding extension K in a direction to rotate the rockable member |03 in a clockwise Adirection as viewed in Fig. 13 about its pivot |05 whereby to cause the arm H9 tomove the links |0| and |32l upwardly. The upwardly movement of the link |32 is an idling movement relative to the pin |3| and permits the spring 3d to swing the lever |28 from the position shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. 16, thus permitting the spring |26 to move the arm |22 into locking engagement with the detent member 9| for preventing rotation of the ratchet 81.

The upward movement of the link |0| rotates the sector-shaped member 94 out of engagement with the stop pin 98 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.13 to move the pawl 95 slidingly in the'nickel aperture 25 (Fig. 1) the rearward extension K of the reciprocable member I corresponding to that nickel aperture will engage the arm |01 of the rockable member |03 and, due to the offsetting arrangement of that arm, will rotate the member |03 sufciently to move the pawl 95 one tooth in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13 from its zeroor initial position. 'I'he rearward extension K of the reciprocable member I corresponding to the dime or ten-cent piece slot 25 will, when operated, engage the arm |08 of the rockable member |03 to rotate that member sufciently to rotate the pawl 95 about the ratchet 81 two teeth in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 13 vfrom the initial positionof the pawl. Likewise the reciprocable member I corresponding to the twenty-five-cent or quarter aperture 25 is operable to engage the arm |06 of the rockable member |03 and to rotate that member sufficiently to move the pawl 95 iive ratchet teeth vaway from its initial position. In o ther words, the numberV of ratchet teeth about which the pawl 95 ismoved by the rockable member |03 and its associated apparatus is predetermined for each reciprocable member I and varies propontionally with the values of the coins adapted-to t wardly to move the latching member |45 into latching engagement with the slot |13|, |92 or |43 of the arcuate strip |31, |38 or |39 releasably latching the rockable member |03 in its rotated position against the action of the spring |5. The rockable member is automatically released by the roller ||2 engaging the cam surface |95 and camming the arm |35 upwardly to remove the latching member |99 out' of the slot Ii, |62 or |53 duringthe return movement of the reciprocable member I, thus permitting the spring ||5 to drive the rockable member |03 toward its initial position. During that return rotation of the rockable member |03 to its initial position, the arm H3 lowers the links |0| and |32, the elongated aperture |39 in the link |32 permitting idling' movement of the link |32 relative to the pin |3| until just before the rockable member reaches its initial position. The link |32 thereupon engages the pin |3| and rotates the lever |28 to move the arm |22 out of latching engagement with the detent 9|.' Thereafter the spring i6 returns the sector-shaped member 94 and the pawl 95 to their initial positions, causing the pawl 95 to rotate the ratchet through an arc measured or determined by the number of ratchet teeth about which the pawl was previously moved when the rockable member was rotated by the reciprocable member I as already described. During .such return movement of the pawl 95, the ratchet teeth will engage the follower and detent member 9| and will operate it a number of times equal to the number of teethabout which the pawl was displaced. whereby to close and open the electrical contacts 12 the same number of times. Eachclosing of the contacts as already described will cause the solenoid and pawl 83 to rotate the ratchet 8| the distance between succeeding teeth whereby to accumulate the operation cycle of the phonographor other device controlled by the novel coin handling apparatus. The control de. vice is thus started and at the end of each operating cycle will operate the escapement pawl 83' to rotate the ratchet 8| in the opposite direction whereby to dispense the accumulated operating cycles.

While the invention has been disclosed in con- I nection with a speciiic embodiment, it-w'lll be understood that the invention is not limited to the details employed herein by way of illustration but is capable of considerable variation 'and modication within the spirit and scope of the ap-A pended claims. l Y

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is:

1, In coin handling apparatus of the class controllable by coins of any of a plurality of dilerent denominations, control means for controlling an operable device, means including a rotatable member for operating said control means, means rotatable in one `direction in sliding engagement m with said rotatable member and in the opposite direction in driving engagement with said rotatable member, rockable means for rotating the last vsaid means a plurality of diiferent distances in the iirst said direction, normally latched coin 2| releasable means for rotating said rockable member for any of said distances, means vfor releasably locking said rockable member after it has been rotated the desired distance, means for releasing said rockable member and for returning it to its 30 initial position upon return of said releasable means to latched position, and means for thereafter operating the means for driving said rotatable member to operate said control means.

2. The combination with a plurality of manually actuatable members each releasable by a coin of given denomination, of a rockable member provided with spring means for returning the same to normal position and provided with means each engageable by one of said actuatable memin one direction, a latch arranged for swinging l5.

:movement from and to a `position of cooperative engagement with said tooth contacting portion of said contact operating member for releasably locking the ratchet against rotation, and a pair of links each operablev by said rockable member, one of said links being operatively connected to said pawl for retracting the same arcuately along the number of teeth of the ratchet predetermined by the arcuate movement of said rockable member and said other link being operatively connected to said latch and arranged to swing the same out of engagement with said contact operating member upon return of said rockable member to normal position. Y

PAUL H. SMY'II'H, Ja. It 

